The goal of the Traffic Calming program is to make our City neighborhoods more livable and safe for all users. The program formed in 2010 and allowed each neighborhood to apply for one or two projects annually to mitigate traffic issues and suggest a preferred solution. Sometimes the preferred solution was not something the traffic engineers would recommend, and it created some discourse. Additionally, having yearly applications was a lot of work and often project construction was delayed, so City staff and City Council decided a new process to identify and prioritize projects was needed.
The new traffic calming process consists of two workshops, one to identify issues and another workshop to prioritize the project solutions. The first round of workshops was held in spring/summer 2022 at locations in each of the three council districts. The second round of workshops was held in spring 2023. The project solutions designed by traffic engineers and voted on by residents created a multi-year list of 135 projects from which the annual construction package will be drawn from.
The Cycle 11 projects have been selected and will begin construction in 2024. Cycle 12 projects will be selected in spring 2024 and constructed in 2025. We expect to utilize the list to select projects for construction in 2026 and likely 2027, before going back with the neighborhoods for an update. (See far right column for identified issues and priorities, and project cycles.)
Funding for the traffic calming program comes from photo enforced radar tickets.
According to the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), the definition of traffic calming is “the combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users.”
By design, traffic calming is a self-enforcing traffic management approach that forces motorists to alter their speed or direction of travel. The purpose of traffic calming is to improve safety, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists, and to improve the environment or “livability” of streets for residents and visitors. By decreasing volume and/or reducing speed the number and severity of accidents can be greatly diminished.
Traffic Calming techniques may include education, enforcement, or engineering to shift traffic patterns and/or reduce speeds. Most traffic calming measures focus on engineering changes to alter driver behavior. Traffic Calming techniques may include physical changes such as roadway narrowing, traffic circles, pavement markings, signage and others. Education and enforcement efforts should be considered prior to engineering alternatives and as a complement to engineering efforts.
The $972,950 three year pilot program that runs through 2026 will allow all 29 neighborhoods to apply for a piece of intersection asphalt art by a commissioned artist. Also, part of the program includes painting six community crosswalks, two in each Council district.
The Traffic Calming map displays all the projects that have been completed through the Traffic Calming Program. When you click/tap on circles or the lines on the map information about the project type, construction year, neighborhood and City Council District will show up. Have fun exploring the variety of traffic calming projects that have been built by application from the neighborhood councils.
Education is one of the three "E's" of Traffic Calming in addition to Engineering and Enforcement. The goal of traffic calming education is to both inform drivers that they are travelling on neighborhood streets. Our current campaign "Neighbors Drive 25" reminds people to slow down as they travel through neighborhoods. If you are interested in placing one of the signs in your yard, please reach out to your neighborhood council chair, your local COPS shop, or pick one up on the first floor of City Hall!
NOTE: If you are concerned with speeding in your area, contact the Spokane Police Department's Traffic Unit Hotline (509.625.4150). If there is property or vehicle damage, contact Spokane County's Crime Check (509.456.2233).
Annie Deasy
adeasy@spokanecity.org
509.625.6343
Abbey Martin
amartin@spokanecity.org
509.625.6426
Summary Report (coming soon)
